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Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland have returned to a place deeply connected to their childhoods to celebrate the opening of the Knowles Rowland House in Houston, marking a new chapter in their longstanding commitment to supporting their community.
The two singers were joined by Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, and her daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter, at the October 13 opening ceremony. The family took part in a ribbon cutting for the 31 unit permanent supportive housing development located at St John's United Methodist Church.
The project replaces the original Knowles Rowland Center for Youth, which opened in 1999 but closed in 2021 following a fire. The new development represents a renewed investment in community support, with its permanent housing model intended to serve people in need of stable accommodation.
Footage from the ceremony showed Blue Ivy and Rumi joining their mother on stage for the special occasion. Blue Ivy, 14, appeared in jeans and a jersey, while nine year old Rumi wore a dark tennis dress and cardigan. Beyoncé chose a cream coloured dress, coordinating with Rowland, who wore a matching trouser suit.
Beyond the celebration, the occasion carried personal significance for the singers, who grew up with connections to the church and its pastors, Juanita and Rudy Rasmus.
Beyoncé reflected on those memories during her remarks, thanking the pastors for their support and describing the church as the foundation that had helped sustain her family. She also revealed that she had been baptised there, making the location particularly meaningful to her.
Her words highlighted the connection between personal history and community responsibility, as the project transformed a familiar childhood landmark into a resource intended to meet present day needs.
Rowland was visibly emotional as she addressed the gathering. She joked that she might struggle to speak without crying before expressing gratitude for the people, the place and the legacy associated with the church.
She also thanked the city of Houston for providing a lasting connection to home and for giving the singers opportunities to return and contribute to the community.
The opening brought together family memories, friendship and a shared commitment to giving back. For Beyoncé and Rowland, whose friendship dates back to their years in Destiny's Child, the project offered an opportunity to celebrate more than a new building.
The Knowles Rowland House also reflects how community initiatives can evolve over time, replacing a former youth centre with permanent supportive housing while preserving the spirit of service associated with its original purpose.
Their appearance underscored a message that extended beyond celebrity: investing in the communities that helped shape them can create a meaningful legacy for future generations.
